Programs

The Department of Religion is a department within the Humanities Division presenting an area of study and research which students may choose as the focus of their liberal arts education. The Department of Religion is comprised of four fields: Biblical Studies, Historical Studies, Theological Studies, and Studies in World Religions.

The Religion Department offers both majors and minor programs. These programs
have led many students to fulfilling careers in ministry or to further training
in a seminary or divinity school. Many students choose religion as their primary
major, and others choose it to compliment another major. Majors that are especially
popular in combination with religion are psychology and sociology, though art,
biology, english and virtually every other major have been joined with religion
at one time or another.

RELIGION MAJORS

There are four (4) Religion Major options: 1) Comprehensive; 2) Biblical
Studies; 3)Christian History and Theology; and 4) Ethics,
Culture and Social Witness.

Comprehensive
Religion Major

The Comprehensive Religion Major offers a broad program of study that
includes courses in Biblical Studies, Church History, Christian Theology,
Christian Ethics, and World Religions. While some may focus their studies
in one of these areas, this major provides a broad exposure to different
areas of study.

Religion plays a central role in social, political, and economic events,
as well as in the lives of communities and individuals. The Religion
Major offers you an excellent way to understand and navigate the complex
and diverse world of the twenty-first century.

The scriptures of
Judaism and Christianity are the defining texts of these faith traditions.
They contain the stories of its ancestors and
heroes, the likes of Abraham and Sarah, Joshua, David, and Jesus of Nazareth.
The biblical books also contain worship songs and love poems, laws, and
wise counsel, prophecy and tales of apocalyptic terror. There's so much
to love and appreciate! What better way than by choosing a Biblical Studies
Religion Major.

Scripture is a great starting point for understanding Jewish and Christian
history, theology, and Christian ethics. It would serve you tremendously
well as a primary major if you intend to enter the field of ministry,
and is great preparation for seminary or graduate school in biblical
studies. Or it would be a wonderful double major for personal and professional
enrichment.

The major in Christian
History and Theology focuses upon Christian theology, the value of
the Church, and the day-to-day devotion of ordinary believers. It offers
you the opportunity to grow in your knowledge and understanding of
the Christian faith.

The ultimate goal
of historical and theological sutdy is to enable Christians to better
understand and share in the worship of God and love of neighbors. At
the core of this knowledge is the desire to be shaped by God's revelation
in Scripture. Therefore, in both required and elective courses you
will be trained to consider critically the meaning of Christian doctrine,
evaluate the enduring contribution of key figures, and to understand
the living and dynamic shape of the Christian faith.

Are
you interested in considering a career with a Christian service organization
or a career in mission? Would you like to learn about how to connect
the things you believe with the challenges Christians face in a complex
world? Are you being challenged to think more deeply about what it
means to live your faith every day?

Students
pursing a religion major in Ethics, Culture, and Social Witness will
focus on topics such as: How do religion and culture influence each
other? How can Christians engage in practices that change the world?
How do Christians engage in moral reflection? What does it mean to
care for the earth, to seek justice, and to the things that make for
peace, to bind up the wounds of people who are afflicted? Because Christian
Ethics is fundamentally concerned with the way Christians live out
their convictions in their cultural context, this major places a special
emphasis on the way Christian faith is embodied in social witness.

A minor consists of a minimum of 20 credits, including three courses at the 200 level and two courses at the 300 or 400 level. The minor must include one 400 level Religion seminar. Religion 100 does not count toward a minor.